Ms. Michelle Scroggs
Sophomore English
Room 334
E-mail: mscroggs@lebanon.k12.mo.us
School Phone: 417-532-9144 Ext. 1334
Website: http://www.lebanon.k12.mo.us/lhs/departments/langarts/mscroggs/
Essential Learner Outcomes
Drama
1. Students will be able to discuss and defend their ideas in a group setting through sharing facts and ideas vocally and in writing.
2. Students will be able to analyze a play for context and meaning.
Grammar, Usage and Mechanics
3. Students will be able to identify grammar conventions and explain how they are important to success in communicating with other people.
Reading (Prose, Poetry and Nonfiction)
4. Students will be able to discuss a given text and define similarities and differences between time periods and cultures.
5. Students will be able to interpret figurative language and literary terms in order to understand how pieces of text help them to make
connections between self, text, author and society.
6. Students will be able to identify and analyze persuasive techniques to create sound arguments.
Writing and Research
7. Students will be able to write using techniques that strengthen skills, strategies and practices for creating text with a clear idea of audience
and purpose.
8. The student will use writing and research as a process to construct new understanding, meaning and locate appropriate ideas, images, or
information in a bibliography, works cited page, or text features.
9. Students will be able to use writing as a tool for thinking: solving problems, exploring issues, constructing questions and addressing inquiry.
Vocabulary
10. Students will be able to develop vocabulary knowledge through dictionary, thesaurus and context.
End of Course Exam Achievement Level Descriptors for Proficiency
Reading
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
— In both fiction and nonfiction, a student can:
Determine vocabulary meaning
Identify the main idea and supporting details
Make connections — compare, contrast, analyze
Analyze text features
Analyze figurative language and literary techniques
Draw accurate conclusions
Summarize and paraphrase ideas and information
Analyze literary elements
Writing — A student is able to write across genres a paper that:
1. Contains a controlling idea, along with a clear beginning,
middle, and end
2. Uses paragraphing appropriately
3. Progresses in a generally logical order and uses cohesive
devices
4. Addresses the topic and provides details, reasons, and
examples
5. A student is able to apply the conventions of capitalization,
punctuation, and standard usage correctly.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Analyze
Analyze
Analyze
Analyze
Analyze
purpose
14. Analyze
reasoning, inferences, and sources
proposed solutions
evidence and use of information
organizational patterns
the author’s point of view, viewpoint/perspective, and
the author’s tone
6.
Uses precise language in sentences that are clear and show
some variety in structure
7. Uses writing techniques
8. Shows some complexity, freshness of thought, and/or
individual perspective
9. Shows awareness of audience and purpose
10. Contains some errors in Standard English and spelling
Course Description
Description
Sophomore English is a course focusing on writing and literature. This course will study concepts and ideals that will prepare
students for college or the workplace. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical thinking skills, vocabulary and
grammatical skills and effective listening and speaking skills. This is achieved through reading and analyzing a variety of works
including: The Crucible, Julius Caesar, Of Mice and Men, Anthem, Billy Budd, The Great Gatsby and, Our Town and various short
stories, poems and essays. Through classroom discussion, writing about novels, short stories, poetry and drama, analyzing aspects
of literature (including themes, symbols, tone, mood, author’s purpose, style and other literary devices) and expository writing
students will gain a better understanding of the text as they relate it to other text, their world and their lives. This course is designed
to prepare students for Junior English as well as the End of Course Exam.
Course Text
Language and Literature, Adventures in American Literature, and Heath English, Of Mice and Men, Anthem, Billy Budd, The
Great Gatsby, Julius Caesar
Sophomore English School Year AtAt-a-Glance
1st Semester
2nd Semester
August
January
Introduction to Expository Writing
Descriptive/Narrative Essay
Our Town Unit
September
Billy Budd Unit
3rd Quarter Common Assessment
Introduction to the American Dream
Of Mice and Men Unit
February
March
October
The Great Gatsby Unit
The Crucible Unit
1st Quarter Common Assessment
April
November
Short Story Unit
6 short stories, 24 vocabulary words, 13 Literary terms
December
Anthem Character Analysis
1st Semester Final
2nd Quarter Common Assessment
Of Note
Vocabulary in each unit
Julius Caesar Unit
Grammar Review
May
Julius Caesar Projects/Presentations
Grammar Final
End of Course Exam
4th Quarter Common Assessment
Of Note
Grammar Mondays
Parts of Speech; Parts of a Sentence
Class Attendance
If you miss class, you are responsible for getting handouts and missed work from the Make-Up Work folders in the crate or at the class website
listed at the top of the syllabus. BQs will be taped to the front of the crate. The calendar will be posted above the crate at all times. You should
always check the calendar and crate before asking me what you missed. Any notes taken in class will need to be gotten from a friend. Study
buddies are highly recommended! Make-up work is due one class session after you return to class. If you miss a quiz or test, you will be given
two (2) days to make it up. It is YOUR responsibility to schedule a make-up test before or after school or during advisory. If you know of a
planned absence due to a school function, you should notify me in advance and turn in any work that will be due on that day.
Homework and Late Work
Each day you come to class there will be a Board Question (BQ) on the board for you to begin as soon as you enter class. You should be
working when the bell rings and continue to work until you are prompted to stop. Each BQ should be written in your BQ notebook
(provided by me) unless otherwise instructed. It should include an MLA heading, the question or prompt, and your response. BQs are
worth 10 points each unless otherwise stated. Again, BQs will be taped to the front of the crate in case you missed class.
We will also be taking notes and doing class work during each class period. Any notes that you missed, as stated above, will need to be
gotten from a classmate. All handouts and assignments can be found in the Make-Up Work crate. Again, make-up work is due one class
session after you return to class.
HOT Sheets: All students are expected to complete and turn in every assignment. If you do not, you will be required to participate in the
HOT sheet program designed to assist you with this issue. In the event that you do not turn in an assignment, you will be required to fill
out a HOT sheet documenting the missing assignment. Late penalties will apply.
Note: Some assignments may not be taken late. This especially applies to rough drafts and any process points given during a writing
project.
All major papers and projects are due on the assigned day. Attendance on due dates is a priority. Because of the length of time given
for major papers, there should be no excuses for a late paper. For example, if we work four weeks on a project, I expect the paper to be
turned in the day it is due. If you cannot be at school that day, please have your paper delivered. In desperate situations you can e-mail
your paper to me as an attachment to prove that you are finished and then deliver a hard copy to me when you return. If you do not
attend class and do not turn in the paper on the day it is due, late penalties will still apply. Also, all extra credit opportunities may be
eliminated if you do not meet these major deadlines. If you have a problem, you should meet with the teacher before the assignment due
date in order to make any necessary adjustments. A responsible student who isn’t procrastinating will troubleshoot long before it becomes
a last night or last minute disaster. Waiting until the night before is procrastinating, not responsible troubleshooting. Final Note: If there
is a life emergency or tragedy, we will make adjustments as needed.
Late Penalties:
Daily assignments that are given hot sheets will be penalized 50%.
Late papers or major assignments will be penalized a minimum of 25% for each calendar day the assignment is late. Again, some
assignments may not be taken after a certain cut off date. The nature of the assignment will determine that final cut off date.
Grading Policy and Scale
Letter grades will be assigned according to the following standard scale:
100-95 A
3.68-4.00
94-90
A3.33-3.67
89-87
B+
3.00-3.32
86-83
B2.67-2.99
82-80
B
2.33-2.66
79-77
C+
2.01-2.32
73-76
72-70
69-67
66-63
62-60
59-0
C
CD+
D
DF
1.68-2.00
1.34-1.67
1.01-1.33
0.68-1.00
0.67-.099
0.00-0.66
Grading Formula:
Formula:
Tests, quizzes, projects, and papers 45%
Class work, homework, participation 40%
Semester Final
15%
Cell Phone/iPod/mp3 Players
Cell phones are never to be out in class. I will have a cell phone basket where you are encouraged to leave your cell phone at the beginning of
class. It will be returned to you when class is over at no penalty. However, if you do not put it in the basket and I see it, I will take it away. On
your first offense, you may pick it up after school. On the second offense and any after, your cell phone will be given to the office and you will be
written a referral for insubordination.
iPods and mp3 players may be used in class during quiet work/reading time. You may not use it during instruction or during tests and quizzes.
Having these or cell phones out during tests or quizzes is considered cheating and will result in a “0” for that assessment.
Portfolio
You should have a 3-ring binder specifically for this class at least 1” thick with 5 tabs. I will review and grade the contents of your portfolio
every few weeks, so be sure to keep it up! The five tabs are:
1. Syllabus and Calendars
2. Vocabulary
3. Notes
4. Handouts
5. Class work
Classroom Expectations and Rules
1. Entering the classroom:
2.
3.
4.
5.
a. You should enter the classroom and sit in your assigned seat.
b. Place your bags under the desk as best you can. Purses and bags may not be placed on the desk.
c. Place your cell phone in the basket to ensure that you don’t use it during class! ☺
d. There will be a Board Question (BQ) on the board each day for you to begin as soon as you enter class.
Working together:
a. You will work in pairs or groups sometimes during class. Groups will often be chosen by me.
b. You are expected to work together quietly and diligently. I should NEVER be able to hear your voice across the room!
Class Discussions
a. You should raise your hand to speak in class unless told otherwise.
b. You should not talk when the teacher or another classmate is talking.
Turning in work/Getting work back:
a. You should turn all class work into the designated area each day.
b. When you get work back, you should place it in your English binder so you will have it for portfolio checks.
Ending/Leaving the classroom:
a. You should not begin putting your things away before the bell rings.
b. Make sure you put all desks, books, and materials away neatly and where they belong.
c. You will be dismissed by the teacher, not the bell!
Supplies:
Each student will need the following supplies for class:
Three-ring binder (1 inch or larger) with tab dividers (at least 5)
Pencils and/or pens (blue/black only; others will not be accepted)
Notebook Paper
If you are unable to purchase these supplies, please come talk to me and I will make sure they are made available to you.
I’m excited to be teaching you for the 2010-2011 school year! If you have any questions or concerns about our class, please email
me or set up a time to come and talk to me. ☺
Be…
Safe
Responsible
Come to the teacher’s desk
only to ask questions.
Respectful
Respect the space of the
teacher and your classmates.
Do not take/use items on the
desk without permission.
a Learner
Only come to my desk to
ask questions
Teacher’’s Desk
No students behind or in
teacher’s desk.
Students’’ Desks
Keep all desk legs on the
floor and do not move
desks unless directed.
Use the desk for learning
Do not deface students by
only. They are not for sitting writing on them, sticking
or standing on!
gum, under them, etc.
Classroom Materials
Do not throw materials or
use them in inappropriate
ways
If materials are borrowed
please return them to their
original location.
Student Materials
Do not throw materials or
use them in inappropriate
ways
Always have supplies ready
Ask before you borrow
for use and in class…Be
things from others.
prepared!
Use supplies for learning
purposes only and not for
personal use
Entering and Exiting
(Passing Time)
Go directly to your seat
when you enter the room
and do not leave until you
are dismissed by the
teacher.
Bring all things to class and
be working on board
questions when you enter
the room
Be in class on time and
prepared. Check the
agenda. Begin BQs
immediately.
Dismissal Bell
Do not run when the bell
rings to be dismissed
Make sure you take all your
Make sure you have written
belongings with you, but do Do not leave until dismissed
down your assignments
not pack up until the bell
by the teacher
before you leave.
has rung.
Asking for Help
Make sure you read the
Stay in your seat, raise your directions before asking
hand and wait patiently
questions. Listen to others’
questions.
Cell Phones,
iPods/Mp3 players
Keep cell phones in a safe
place that is not visible
while in class.
You may not use cell
phones during class time.
iPods may be used while
doing individual work.
Keep cell phones on silent
and put them in the basket.
Let your parents know that
they can call the school if
there is an emergency
Quiet Time
(Independent Seat
Work)
Stay in your seat and keep
hands and feet to yourself
Use your time wisely to work
on the assignment given.
Work from other classes may
be worked on after your
assignments for English are
finished.
Keep to yourself so that
everyone has the same
chance to complete the
work.
Stay on task, be productive
and ask questions
Activity Time/Group
Work
Keep hands and feet to
yourself and remain seated
Complete the given task
and stay on task
Keep voices low and only
work on the activity your
are assigned
Be productive, reflect on
what you have learned and
complete all parts of the
activity
Hall Passes (Bathroom, Go directly to the location
Water Fountain, Office, you for which you were
given permission to go.
Advisory)
Homework/Make-up
Work
Stay focused and do your
own work.
Use supplies for learning
Make sure supplies are
purposes only and not for
returned in good condition.
personal use
Leave the classroom in the
same shape (clean,
organized, etc) in which
you found it.
Always ask
Stay in your seat, raise your
questions…never be afraid
hand and wait patiently
to ask anything!
Be sure to sign out.
Complete what needs to be Do not disrupt others when
completed and return to
traveling during class time
class immediately.
Stay on task and make sure to
complete your assignments. If
you miss class, be sure to get
your assignments from the
crate or the website.
The desk is there for you to
use when doing work,
studying or participating in
group projects.
Do your business between
classes.
Turn in all assignments on
time. If you are absent, you Do your own work and
have one class period after keep your portfolio
organized.
you return to turn in the
missed work.